The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1887-12-15

can labor engaged in manufacture should
be carefully considered, as. well as the
preservation of our manufacturers. 1t
may be called protection, Or by any other
name, but relief from the hardships and
dangers Of our present tariff laws should
be devised with especial precautlon
against imperiling the existence OF Our
manufacturing interests. But this exist
ence should not mean a condition which,
without regard to the public welfare or a
national exigency, must always insure the
realization Of Immense profits instead OF
moderately profitable returns. AS the
volume and diversity of our national &C
tlvltleS increase, new recruits are added to
those who desire a continuation OF the adj
vantages which they conceive the present
system of tariff taxation directly affords
them. So stubbornly have all efforts to
reform the present condition been re-
sisted by those of our fellow-citizens thus
engaged, that they can hardly complain
Of the suspicion, entertained to a certain
extent, that there exists an organized
combination all along the line to maintain
their advantage. ., ..., ..
INDUSTRIES THAT ARE INDEPENDENT.
We are in the midst of centennial cele-
ebrations, and with becoming pride we re-
joice inssAmerican skill and ingenuity, in
American energy and enterprise, and in
the wonderful natural advantages and re-
sources developed by a century''s national
growth. Yet when an attempt is made
to Justify a scheme which permits a tax to
be laid upon every IN the land
for the benefit of our manufacturers, quite
beyond a reasonable demand for govern
| mental regard, it suits the purpose Of adj
| vocacy to call our manufactures infant in
dustries, still needing the highest and
greatest degree of favor and fostering care
| that can be wrung from Federal legis-
lation.
It is also said that the increase in the
price Of domestic manufactures resulting
| from the present tariff is necessary in or
der that higher wages may be paid to our
w~orkingmen employed in manufactures
than are paid for what is called the pau
per labor of Europe. All will acknowl-
edge the force of an argument which in
wolves the welfare and liberal compensa-
ton of our laboring people. Our labor is
honorable in the eyes Of every American
citizen; and as it lies at the foundation Of
our development and progress it is emit
tied, without affectation or hypocrisy, to
the utmost regard. The standard of our
laborers' life should not be measured by
that Of any other country less favored,
and they are entitled to their full share Of
all our advantages.
II GREAT SHEEP N WOOL QUESTION.
The farmer and the agriculturist who
manufacture nothing, but who pay the
increased price which the tariff imposes,
upon every agricultural implement, upon
all he wears and upon all he uses and
owns, except the increase Of his f1ocks
and herds and such things as his hus-
bandry produces from the soil, is invited
to aid in maintaining the present situa-
ton; and he is told that a high duty on
imported wool is necessary for the benefit
Of those who have sheep to shear, in order
that the price of their wool may be in
creased. They, Of course, are not re-
minded that the farmer who has no sheep
is by this scheme obliged, in his purchases
Of clothing. and wooden goods, to pay a
tribute to his fellow farmer as well as to
the manufacturer and merchant; no is
any mention made of the fact that the
sheep-owners themselves and their house.
holds, must wear clothing and use other
articles manufactured of the wool they
sell at tariff prices, and thus as consumers
m u return their share of this increased
price to the tradesman.
A THEORY.
I think it may be fairly assumed that
a large proportion Of the sheep owned by
the. farmers throughout the country are
found in. small focks numbering from
twenty-five to fifty. The duty on the
grade of imported wool which these sheep
yield is ten cents each pound if of the
value of thirty cents or less, and twelve
cents if of the value of more han thirty
cents. If the liberal estimate of six
pounds be allowed for each fleece, the
duty thereon would be sixty or seventy
two cents, and this may be taken as the
utmost enhancement of its price to the
farmer by reason of this duty. Eighteen
dollars would thus represent the increased
price Of wool from twenty-five sheep
and thirty-six dollars that from the wool
OF fifty sheep; and at present values this
addition would amount to about one-third
Of its price. If upon it's sale the farmer
receives his or a less tariff profit, the wool
leaves his hands charged with precisely
that sum, which, in all its changes, will
adhere to it, until it reaches the consumer.
When manufactured into cloth and other
goods and material for use, it's cost is not
only increased to the extent of the for
mer's tariff profit, but a further sum has
been added for the benefit of the manu-
f%acturer under the operation of other
tariff laws. In the meantime the day ar
rives when the farmer finds it necessary
to purchase wooden goods and material to
olNfho HIM oo1f nrI avail e., 49, -4a-